English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
14
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
15
When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
16
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
17
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
19
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the wordwill discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
21
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
22
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
23
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.